Which part of August?

[squirrlygirl]

FINALLY got my ex's list of weeks he's taking our son this summer(actually, he gave it to me early but I'm impatient this year), so now I can plan

I have two choices--go in the 1st half of August for 10 days, or go the last week of August for 7 days. I'm not big on going in the summer, but DS starts junior high in the fall and they have a no-vacation policy.

Opinions? Am I better with longer time/more crowds, or shorter time/less crowds?

 

[Ariel8676]

Last week!! We go the last week every year..its very hot, but the crowds aren't bad.

 

[RLRDA]

My vote is for the last week of August. We went last August 18-27 and the crowds were not bad at all. I've read that the 1st two weeks of August are much more crowded and they're more DVC points as well. By the end of August Florida schools are back in session as well as a number of schools in the Southern states. We walked on many rides....the more popular rides were those we used Fast Passes and essentially timed it to walk on those as well.

 

[spiceycat]

the last half is lower points - so that wins.

also remember there is generally a spring break - the weather is definitely better although the crowds are larger.

plus some places not only have Christmas to Ny off - but Thanksgiving week too.

would definitely pick Thanksgiving week or spring break - just because the weather is generally better.

 

[squirrlygirl]

We're headed for spring break in a couple of weeks, and I'm trying to get in one more trip before our AP's expire in September


Now what are my chances of combining a points stay, a comp'd night, a cash night, back to a night of points ?

And is airfare going to kill me to come home on Labor Day?

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Looks like a consensus... Last week here too.

 

[mwmuntz]

How about the 3rd week of August? How are the crowds then?

 

[jpolak]

Another vote for last week. We did Aug 22-29 and were worried because it was the start of free dining that year, but the crowds great. We hit the parks at opening (to avoid the heat) and walked on everything.

 

[jpolak]

How about the 3rd week of August? How are the crowds then?

After the 16th crowds begin to decrease. The close you get to Labor day the lower the crowds.

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

Definitely the latest in August that you can. The southern kids are all back in school already and the northern families have aready taken their summer vacations. The park will be all yours. I will ba at OKW 8/20-8/25.

 

[Nikisha421]

a guess thisis a vote for the later part of August since I will be there from the 24-31.

 

[edk35]

The later the better. We arrived on Aug. 15th last year for 8 nights and it was GREAT. We have to go in July this year....arriving on the 20th and we are expecting a lot of CROWDED PARKS. We wish we could go towards the end Aug.

 

[gmboy95]

i beleive many schools are back in session in mid august...so the parks clear out a bit by the third week in August, at least that was my experience.....The only other pesky things you have to worry about is africa like heat and an occasional hurricane

 

[dismorgh]

In our part of Texas, our kids go back to school in mid August, so we have no choice. We'll be going from Jul 22 - Aug 5. We know the crowds will be heavier, but we aren't doing commando touring. We'll be taking our time, and Fastpassing what we need to. We have lots of down time scheduled.

 

[squirrlygirl]

I made the reservations for Aug. 25-Sept. 1. I was able to book 4 days on points, followed by a cash night, followed by a free night through CRO, followed by one more points night. They're all linked together so we don't have to move
Thanks everyone for the input! Now all I need is airfare that doesn't make me

 

[mwmuntz]

I made the reservations for Aug. 25-Sept. 1. I was able to book 4 days on points, followed by a cash night, followed by a free night through CRO, followed by one more points night. They're all linked together so we don't have to move
Thanks everyone for the input! Now all I need is airfare that doesn't make me

Congrats! That's cool that you can link the ressies together!

We're actually (probably) going the 2nd & 3rd weeks of August, so I guess we'll experience the difference in crowd levels firsthand.

I say "probably" because we are booked at VWL for Aug. 10-15, but are on a waitlist for HHI.

Then, we are booked in a 2BDR at OKW for Aug. 17-22. The funny thing is that the 2BDR at OKW is only 2pts/night more than the 1 BDR at VWL, because of the different seasons and the cheaper OKW point structure.
We will be visiting family in Clearwater on the weekend in between.

So, if the HHI waitlist doesn't come through (which it probably won't), we'll be in WDW for 2 weeks!
Actually, I'm thinking of just cancelling the HHI waitlist altogether.

 

[Escape Artist]

In our part of Texas, our kids go back to school in mid August, so we have no choice. We'll be going from Jul 22 - Aug 5... /QUOTE]

I thought the new state law said that Texas kids go back to school "the 4th Monday in August or later."

My little Texans start the 4th Monday in August this year. We'll be getting home from WDW the Friday before that!

Lots more Texas families we know will be taking mid-August vacations due to the new school rule. I wonder how that will affect the crowds in WDW!

Sue in Texas
...who liked the old calendar better, when school was done in May!

 

[jpolak]

The only other pesky things you have to worry about is africa like heat and an occasional hurricane

Rule #1 about traveling in August. Never ever use the "H" word.